Here’s why you should own at least one wooden unresponsive yoyo.
The density of wood is lower than metal, therefore more material is required to make a yoyo of reasonable weight. This means the weight is distributed more widely throughout the body, resulting in a soft feeling in play unmatched in metal yoyos.
The feeling of wood in the hand is much more natural and friendly than metal or plastic.
They are handcrafted which means hours of someone’s time and skill has been spent in creating your yoyo and there will never be another with exacltly the same feel or performance.
Your yoyo was growing in the ground for the last 30 years or longer. That’s a super cool thought.
It really is worth owning at least one. They offer a truly unique throwing experience.
I agree with all those points, although I really had never stopped to consider the 4th. That said, I’m one of those who doesn’t yet own a wooden unresponsive yo-yo…I guess I will have to work on changing that.
I have a WoodBoy, Peon, and a Spin Worthy (is there a model name Glen?)
I thoroughly enjoy each of them.
I’d like to add:
5. They each have a different vibe.
Just like you can revel in the glass smooth sensation from a well machined metal yoyo, you can enjoy the different sensations from each individual wooden yoyo. It gives you feedback about how the yoyo is spinning, and how well the string is centered. Not to say any of mine have a lot of vibe, but rather than it being something you’d obsess negatively about, like you might after bumping your favorite metal, it’s actually pleasant. In my opinion anyway, and I’m sure part of that comes from my expectations about the material.
This is also more evident with bearing wood yoyos over fixed axle, as you get higher RPMs, for longer periods.
I hope we soon start to see some modern versions of responsive bearing yoyos made out of wood.
Good point, Myk_Myk, They do all have vibe which is important to note. As you say though, vibe can br pleasuant in a wooden yoyo and can be kept to a minimum.
Also, I have recently made a more modern shaped wooden yoyo. It’s a W shape and plays beautifully. Very smooth playfeel.
(Edit: I just realised that you said more responsive bearing wooden yoyos, not unresponsive.)
Interesting, I always thought any lumber could be referred to as quarter sawn/ quartersawn. I thought it was just the type of cut (sorry didn’t mean to derail)